Bieter proclaims Wednesday Wilderness Act Anniversary day

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter has gotten into the celebration of the 50th Anniversary Wednesday of the Wilderness Act of 1964.

He proclaimed Wednesday to be Wilderness Anniversary Day in Boise on Friday. Don’t expect Idaho Gov. Butch Otter to add his signature to a state proclamation.

Otter has opposed wilderness his entire political career of 40 years. And the last time the Idaho Legislature weighed in on wilderness was to declare the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness a disaster area because of uncleared trails.

But Bieter found ample good things to say about wilderness in Idaho and its connection to Boise. Of course, for the Democrat there is Frank Church, a Boise boy wonder.

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Then there are all the Boise-based businesses that that provide “Wilderness-dependent” services such as outfitting and aerial access to backcountry airstrips. Finally he noted the city and the U.S. Forest Service partnered on a public display to celebrate the anniversary at the Boise Airport.

About Letters from the West

Rocky Barker is the energy and environment reporter for the Idaho Statesman and has been writing about the West since 1985. He is the author of several books, including "Scorched Earth How the Fires of Yellowstone Changed America," "The Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho" and "The Wingshooter's Guide to Idaho."